spend the remaining $500 on replacing your 225/45-17 tires with 205/50-17.
Did that with my winters tires, about the same rolling radius.

2001 ttr nimbus/baseball,
mods (under the hood) - VTDA, MOFO, hyperboost HX, Dieselgeek ultra, REVO93
mods (under the car) - blueflame, Neuspeed 19mm rear sway, bilsteins, eibachs,1/2 kmac, SP drilled/slotted w/porterfield pads, 18x8 SSR Integral A2's, Goodyear F1 AS
mods (elsewhere)- euromirrors, mini bee sting, smoked sides, phatbox, gadgett, Riso clears, Caractere grill, CF telson.
mods (in boxes) DEFCON 1+, angel eyes,AWE boost gauge.